Deposits
What is the purpose of a deposit?
The main purpose of a deposit (with me) is to reserve a puppy that is not of age yet to be taken to his new home (& the remaining amount can be paid near the time he is ready or in set payments while he is growing).
It is not necessary to place a deposit for a puppy that is ready and of age to be picked up/shipped/delivered.
But, if you don't have the full amount for a pup that is already ready now (or if you are going on vacation, or just need or want some extra time before you get the puppy) then you can discuss a payment plan with me or if you just need a week or two more until you are ready then let me know and you can place your deposit, then the remaining balance in a week or two. On the listing it will state if the puppy is ready or not for his new home so this is how you will know to place a deposit or pay in full. If you aren't ready for a puppy, then it's best for you to wait and get a puppy from a future breeding, rather than make payments for a pup that is already ready for his new home now, because the longer the puppy stays with me, the more you will miss out on so much precious time with him. I allow my puppies to go to their new homes at 10+ weeks old, and age also depends on the individual, whether they are going local, have a long drive, or to be shipped. According to the law here dogs and cats should not leave the breeder under 8 weeks of age.
To discuss a puppy of interest you'd email me at: chihuahuas@sopharie.com or call (925) 521-8226 to place a $100 nonrefundable deposit to reserve a puppy. Yes, that's it, just one hundred to reserve your pup! I keep it low because it is of course nonrefundable, and if for some reason down the line you decide that you will not be getting the puppy afterall, then you aren't losing out on so much. I'd rather you back out, then take the puppy and not be happy with him. But, I can't hold puppies on peoples word alone. If you are going with another breeder and not me, be sure to find these things out first, since some breeders require a $200 or $250 deposit or even half the price of the dog upfront, & it's nonrefundable & nontransferable, so ask them first so that you know what you are agreeing to.
If you see "Sale Pending" near the pups pictures then that means that a deposit is on it's way in the mail for a puppy, so it's on "hold" (this only happens right after I get their definite "yes" confirmation of sale for that pup) for up to 5 days until I receive the deposit in the mail. Or, Paypal can be used in which it is an instant transfer if you are a verified user and considering you send instant transfer and not an echeck (echecks take about 10 days to process so I do not accept echecks). And, of course I encourage people to check out the puppy they are interested in person, but this is not always possible. Once the deposit or payment in full is received, I will put up a "deposit received" sign or "sold" sign if the puppy has been paid in full or transfered over to the new home, or the pictures of the pup will be removed from the website and emailed directly to you if you prefer this.
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Forms of Payment
I accept Cash if in person.
I accept Paypal for the deposit or for the full payment. You must be verified with paypal as I am to ensure safety, & add 3% to the total being sent to cover the transaction fees that get deducted from my end.
I accept Cashiers Check or Money Order given in person or via the mail. It is advised to send this as priority or express mail to lessen the transit time, unless you are within Ca. as I am. You can also send it registered/certified if you feel more comfortable doing it that way so you can get a signature confirmation (BUT ONLY SEND IT REG./CERT. IF YOU TELL ME YOU ARE DOING THIS AHEAD OF TIME SO THAT I KNOW).
I do not accept personal checks unless you yourself (not a relative or a friend of yours) have bought a puppy from me before, then I may do it if you ask me first.
Payments over time
You can make weekly or biweekly payments on a YOUNGER puppy under 10 weeks old if you and I discuss it over on an individual basis. If the puppy is already over 12 weeks old and this means he is ready of age to be picked up for his new home then payment in full is expected but I may still work out a payment plan with you if it is only for a few more weeks. If you need me to hold a 12 wk old or older pup for more than 4 weeks then I suggest waiting for the next litter because anything after that may have a fee for his extended care while the pup is still with me (food, care, shots, etc). You can let me know your situation and we can at least try to work something out.
Ok, now under a situation in that you have been paying payments for a puppy and you are not done paying, but something has come up and you can't continue to make payments (can't get the pup after all) then I would of course refund you any payment amount you have made toward that puppy besides the nonrefundable $100 because this serves as the reservation money for holding that pup for just you over whatever period of time. For example, you've paid $600 so far for a pup that costs $800, and you tell me you need to back out, then I'd refund you $500. You would not receive $100 of your payment amount because I was doing you a favor in holding that pup for only you and not allowing others to inquire on that said pup, and meanwhile, time goes by and the puppy grows older without him being advertised to the public.
If you decide you want a different puppy your $100 can not be applied toward a different puppy. The only way you'd get a $100 back is if the vet. or I found the puppy to be unfit for sale while he is with me and you have a choice to either transfer the $100 toward a different pup or I can refund it to you, at YOUR decision.